Alcohol and Cardiovascular Disease

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How Alcohol can damage the cardiovascular system

The heart and blood vessels form part of the cardiovascular system. Blood is pumped around the body by the heart, via these blood vessels through arteries, capillaries, and veins. The blood delivers nutrients and other materials to all parts of the body, including alcohol, which is absorbed directly into the bloodstream mainly via the stomach and small intestine.

The Cardiovascular system is affected by alcohol. At the time of drinking, alcohol can cause a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure. In the long term, drinking above the guideline can lead to an on-going increase in heart rate, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat. All of which increase the risk of alcohol cause heart attack and stroke.

What Cardiovascular disease can alcohol cause?

Heart Attack



    Your heart muscle needs oxygen so it can keep pumping. A heart attack is when an artery supplying oxygen to the heart muscle is reduced or cut off completely, preventing the heart muscle from receiving oxygen. The blood flow to the heart can be blocked due to the gradual build-up of plaque, fat, and cholesterol that cause a narrowing of the coronary arteries.

    Alcohol consumption can raise the levels of fat in the blood. People with high triglycerides often have high levels of good cholesterol. High levels of bad cholesterol can clog arteries and if a piece of plaque breaks off, a clot form and a heart attack can result.

Stroke


Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of two types of strokes occurring. Both result in disrupted blood flow to the brain tissue and can result in a loss of movement and sensory (touch, temperature sensation) functions. A stroke can also damage other systems in the body including the skeletal, muscular, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems.  

Ischemic stroke

This is when an artery supplying blood to the brain tissue is blocked. This blockage result from a clot that has formed in the artery or from a foreign body (such as fat globule) that has broken off that becomes lodged in the artery-blocking it.

Alcohol increases the risk of ischemic stroke because it can:

1. Cause a clot, formed due to irregular heartbeat and weakened heart muscle, lodging in a blood vessel in the brain.

2. Cause high blood pressure which can result in a foreign body such as plaque to break off, enter the bloodstream and lodge in a blood vessel in the brain.

3. Raise the level of fat (bad cholesterol) in the blood and if clot forms in a clogged artery a stroke can result.

Hemorrhagic stroke

This results from an artery supplying brain tissue, tearing, and bleeding.

Alcohol increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke because it can cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure can create weak points on artery walls, including those in the brain, increasing the chance of them bleeding due to the force of high pressure. 

How does alcohol cause cardiovascular disease?

Long-term, heavy drinking can lead to heart disease

This is because drinking at this level can increase your blood pressure. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol causes raised blood pressure which is one of the most important risk factors for having a heart attack or a stroke.



 




  



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